Maserati surprises Manhattan with Centennial edition GranTurismo

Thu, 17 Apr 2014

The GranTurismo may be getting a little long in the proverbial tooth, but it hasn't quite been a century just yet. It has, however, been a hundred years since Maserati was originally founded, and to celebrate that milestone, the Modenese automaker has rolled in to the New York Auto Show this year with a pair of special editions. Available in either coupe or convertible form, the MC Centennial Editions arrived as a surprise just as the Alfieri concept was a month ago in Geneva, albeit somewhat less revolutionary.

The special editions are differentiated from any other by their paint scheme, special wheels, revamped interior and special badging throughout. Magma red and Inchiostro blue – the colors of the city of Bologna where the company was founded a century ago – are new to the Maserati catalog, and come with a choice of wheel options with special logos at the center. The interior color is specified to complement the exterior with red, white or blue trim and carbon-fiber accents.

Power comes from the same 4.7-liter V8 as the GranTurismo MC Stradale or GranCabrio Sport, driving 454 horsepower to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. That's said to be enough to propel either coupe or convertible to a top speed of 185 miles per hour, and comes coupled with Brembo brakes and MC sport suspension. Deliveries commence in July, but you can scope it out here in the gallery of live images from the show floor above, the galleries of stock images below and the press release below that.

Maserati Surprise Revelations at New York Auto Show

16/04/2014 - Englewood Cliffs

Maserati continues to strike with all new Ghibli App and GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition models inspired by historic Maserati sports-luxury cars

Just one month after stunning the Geneva Auto Show with the Alfieri Concept, Maserati once again brought unannounced surprises to the Auto Show world with the global debut of the GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Range at the New York International Auto Show. True to the granturismo formula, an Italian tradition that Maserati largely established, each car pays homage to generations of closed and open cars of equal measure performance, luxury and style. At their core, as always, is the authenticity of race-bred engineering which asks to be driven with passion each and every day.

If one needs more Maserati surprise, style and passion, the all new Ghibli App is also enjoying its global debut in New York.

About the GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Range:
"The GranTurismo MC Centennial range are vibrant offerings which reference the storied passion and romance of the Maserati tradition. Along with the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, which have found a welcome reception in the market, the sporty new GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition coupes and convertibles are for those who desire inspired automobiles." commented Peter M. Grady, President and CEO of Maserati North America, Inc.

Both Centennial Edition models will feature three special new 'three-layer' colour schemes in addition to the four already available for the GranTurismo MC. There is a wide choice of wheels too, with four special finishes for the MC and Trofeo designs. At the center of the wheels appears the medal-shaped centenary logo, itself available in two finishes, matte Smoke grey and Charcoal grey, depending on wheel design and color.

The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range comes with a wide range of interiors too. Each of the seven exterior finishes is combined with a specific interior finish. The leather upholstered seats boast a particularly aggressive look with a contrasting decorative insert based on the three colors (red, white and blue) of the seat profiles. The motif also extends to the headrests and surrounds the embroidered Trident logo.

The special three-layer paint finishes include Magma red and Inchiostro blue, two colors that emphasize the sporting nature of the more extreme MC versions of the GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertible. These two colors are a modern interpretation of those of the Maserati logo and also represent the traditional colors of the town of Bologna where the company was founded in 1914. The combinations of colors found in the interiors also reflect the three-tone finish of the body and wheels.

The black leather of the seats and dashboard is strikingly offset by the red, white and blue of the full-length seat profiles and by stitching in a color that mimics that of the laser engraved details on the wheels. The same color combination appears on the leather covered steering wheel. The sporting appearance of the interior is enhanced by carbon fiber inserts on the dashboard, seat surrounds and by a kick plate on which the celebratory centenary logo takes pride of place. The same interior color scheme is also available for the Pietra gray exterior finish. The interior color scheme associated with the three-layer Inchiostro blue body finish contrasts white leather seats and dashboard with Santorini Blue inserts and stitching.

The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range is powered by the 454 HP, 4.7 liter V8, combined with a ZF 6-speed Automatic transmission, providing superb performance and a top speed of 185 mph. Dual cast Brembo brakes and sport-tuned MC suspension also come standard. In keeping with Maserati philosophy, the vehicles also benefit from the advances made on previous models in terms of reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range will be available alongside the current Maserati range with sales due to begin in July 2014.

Maserati Ghibli App Brings Most Accessible Maserati Online

Enjoying its debut at the New York International Auto Show is an all-new App for the Maserati Ghibli. Designed for iPad, iPad 2, iPad Mini, iPhone, iPod, it offers a special preview of the stunning new Maserati Ghibli that proves this luxury vehicle is 'the absolute opposite of ordinary.' The App features high-performance features that match the style and capability of the car itself.
"We kicked off 2014 with the launch of one of the best received Super Bowl commercials, "Strike," featuring all new Maserati Ghibli, and extended the brand to another massive cultural icon, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 50th Anniversary issue, now it's time to bring the Maserati Ghibli experience online via our brand new Ghibli App," commented Grady.

Functionality Highlights:
• Available on all iOS devices (iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone, iPod)
• Robust description of vehicle features and functionality
• Full exterior 360? views with car exterior colorizer
• Safety and Security Features and Trim level Comparisons
• Camera-ready Augmented Reality feature which allows you to photograph a Ghibli placed anywhere you may be, and share it through various social media channels
• Detailed gallery of vehicle images and video content to save and share
• Social Media outlets that allow you to get connected
• Links to helpful tools such as Dealer Locator, Test Drive/Quote requests,
Build your Own Ghibli and other features housed on www.Maserati.us

Take a touch-based tour via this multi-faceted app to locations where you can build your own Maserati Ghibli in your favorite color and interior trim. The 'Ghibli Anywhere' chapter allows the user to place the luxury vehicle in any setting, take a picture, and then share to their library, Facebook, Twitter or email accounts. Beautifully photographed 360? views offer a dynamic high-resolution experience. Download on iTunes to begin an exclusive Ghibli immersion, from its highly sumptuous design and world-class performance. Link: http://bit.ly/1eubvKs

About the Maserati Ghibli:
First unveiled to the U.S. in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Ghibli is Maserati's first-ever mid-size four-door luxury sports sedan vehicle. Available with all-wheel-drive and starting at $66,900, the Ghibli is powered by a Ferrari-built twin-turbo V6 engine capable of over four hundred horsepower. Advanced suspension, Brembo brakes and extensive use of aluminum ensure comfort, with an ease of performance ready when called upon. Within its striking aerodynamic silhouette, the cabin offers rich Italian leathers, woods and other high quality materials at the heart of the Maserati brand. The Ghibli upholds the tradition, luxury and performance that have marked the brand for a century at a more accessible price point, which is expected to open the brand up to new buyers.

About Maserati:
Maserati produces a full line of two and four door models legendary for their spacious handcrafted luxury, thoroughbred performance and everyday usability. The Maserati range includes the all-new full-size Quattroporte and the mid-size Ghibli sport sedan, which earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)*. The flagship Quattroporte GTS leads the charge with a 523 HP twin turbo V8 while both the Ghibli and Quattroporte are available with All-Wheel-Drive, a competition bred twin-turbo 404 HP V6 and an adaptive 8 speed automatic transmission. The two-door GranTurismo line continues with several variants of coupes and convertibles that combine elegance and comfort for four adults, with a six speed automatic transmission to keep the legendary Maserati performance and exhaust note close at hand. Maserati automobiles and merchandise can be found at authorized retailers across North America. Information on Maserati can be found at www.maserati.us , 1-800- My-Maserati.

*Built after Nov 2013

By Noah Joseph